Fall Equinox 2023
Materials
3.
Holy Water
4.
Olive Oil (Shining Ones offering)
5.
Silver Beads (Earth Mother offering)
6.
Cornmeal (DSP Spirit offering)
7.
Wine or Water (Bee and Ancestor offering)
8.
Herbs (Nature spirits offering)
9.
Lighter
10. Darbuka
Drum
11. The Fox
and the Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
12. Ceramic
Fox
13. Wooden
Leaf/Acorn Ornaments
14. Markers
15. The
Well, The Tree, and the Fire
16. Drink
Horn and Kuksa
17. Bee
18. Spirit Staff Alum
20. Prayer
Beads
21. Orange
Candle
22. White
Candle
23. Water
24. Wooden
Offering Bowls
25. Yellow Altar Cloth
27. Divination Tools: Elder Futhark Runes
Kindreds
- Earth Mother
- Gatekeeper: Bee
- Gods
- Nature Spirits:
Fox, Wind, Trees
- Ancestor: Disir, Alfar
Roles
- Drummer
- Firewalker
- Purifier
- Grounder and 2
Powers Meditation
- Reader of The Fox and the Falling Leaves
It was a very windy day and I had to lay the Tree down
Ritual
1.
Greeting: "Hello!
Hearth Fox Oracle and Pagans of Delaware County welcomes you to this Fall
Equinox ritual. I am Foxlyn Wren; Eclectic AF, Priestess, Seidkona,
Oracle, Teacher, and a Dedicant Druid of the ADF
Fellowship. Today's ritual will be performed in ADF style, so expect lots
of prayers and giving of offerings.
In years past, I've done rituals to
help people travel with the Guiding Spirit of the Bee down into the Spirit
World to meet with a Death Entity, such as Persephone, that may teach them how
to heal and befriend their Shadows. Together we'd help them find their
torch and spark to become their own guides for personal healing.
A year ago, Pagans of Delaware County all made rattles from recycled and found
materials to clear space outside of ourselves and within, to help prepare us
for the upcoming darkness of winter.
This year, as I sat in front of my computer brainstorming, I was inspired by a children's book called The Fox and the Falling Leaves by Julie Rawlinson. A cute story about how a little fox fights against the changing season, not quite understanding this autumn business. Then at the end, little Fletcher learns how beautiful change can be if only he stops trying to fight and control it. For this ritual, we'll be using wooden leaves and acorns and we'll focus on things to let go of, things that may be holding us back in order to invite those necessary energies for change. Let us begin!"
2.
(Initiating the Rite) Drummer
Begins
a.
"Normally ADF rituals do not cast circles or call
on Watchtowers. I kind of do. The space that we temporarily borrow
from the nature spirits simply guards against entities who have negative
intentions. Humans and other creatures may pass freely within this sacred
space."
i.
"Who will be our Fire Walker to mark a
temporary boundary, making this our sacred space?"
ii.
"I will." Fire Walker delineates the
space.
1.
Take 3 deep breaths, then light the candle.
2.
Walk around the space clockwise, holding a lit candle,
chanting "Fire we bear / Bright it burns / And ask for peace from all /
Gods make sacred this space! Gods keep sacred this place!"
b. "Who
will be our Purifier?"
i.
"I will."
1.
Purifier cleanses the sacred space with the rattle. Once this is done, cue the Drummer to stop.
c.
"I will be our Grounder. If you all would,
close your eyes and sit, stand, or lay in a comfortable position. Breath
at your own comfort level. Deep breath in and out. In and
out. In and out." (2 Powers Meditation):
i.
"Focus on your breath.
Observe your breath as it flows in and out of your body and with each breath,
allow your body to relax. Let your breath carry away tension from your
flesh.
ii.
Relaxing your feet and legs.
iii.
Letting your belly soften and
relax. Breathing away tension from your shoulders and arms. From
your neck, your face and mouth, your eyes. With each breath your body
becoming warmer, comfortable and relaxed... your mind alert and prepared for
magic.
iv.
Now, with your body still and calm,
imagine that from your feet, or the base of your spine, roots begin to grow
downward. Roots reaching and growing into the earth, down through soil
and stone. Going deep and spreading wide to withstand the strongest of
winds.
v.
Reaching deep to touch the waters
under the Earth, the dark, cool, magnetic power that nourishes and sustains
life.
vi.
As your roots touch this current it is
drawn in and up toward your body.
vii.
And breathe, drawing the Earth power
upward... into your body. The invisible, magnetic power fills your
legs. Energizing and strengthening waters rise from the earth, into your
legs... rising... into your loins... and pooling there, into a cauldron of
Earth power. And breathe.
viii.
You breathe the power upwards, through
your loins, rising up your spine and into your heart. Pooling and filling
a cauldron in your heart center with healing, restoring energy. And
breathe.
ix.
That power now rises from the deep,
through your loins, through your heart, rising up your spine and into your
head. Filling a cauldron of wisdom and vision behind your eyes. And
breathe.
x.
This power fills all your body and
flows out again through the crown of your head and through your hands.
Flowing out around your body and back into the earth.
xi.
The power under the Earth flows in
you... grounding you in the source of life. Breathe.
xii.
Now imagine the sky overhead. The sun
and moon and the stars. Imagine a single star at the center of the sky,
shining directly over your head. See a flash of light shining down from
that star, streaming down between moon and sun–gold, silver and blue-white
light–the bright, warm, electric power of the sky. The light touches your
head, filling and illuminating the cauldron. Filling your head with warm,
awakening power... flowing down into your heart... warming the cauldron. Shining
down through head and heart, downward to reach your loins.
xiii.
The cauldron shines with sky power in
your loins. Tingling, electrical light in head, heart and loins. The
light flows downward into Earth, and you are shining and flowing with the
powers of Earth and sky. The raw materials of magic. The chaos of
potential and the world order… And breathe!
xiv.
These powers are balanced within
you...there for you to use.
xv.
But for now, allow the powers to
recede. Waters to the Earth, light to the sky, knowing that each time you
attune to them you become more attuned, more at one with the powers. Deep
breath in and out, and allow your awareness to return here. Open your
eyes when you are ready.
xvi.
Welcome back! How was that meditation?"
3.
(Honoring the Earth Mother):
a.
"Children of the Earth, it is fitting that we begin
by honoring the All Mother. She from whom we have all emerged. She
who sustains us. She to whom, in the fullness of time, our bones will
return. We honor her best by walking in balance. We honor her best
by keeping our footprints light. Earth Mother, we ask that you ward and
guard our rite. All Mother, accept our offering!"
b. Give
silver offerings into The Well.
4.
(Statement of Purpose) "Welcome
and thank you for attending this rite. Today we celebrate the First Day
of Fall. We honor the entities and humans who sustain our communities
with bountiful harvests of flora and fauna, wild and domestic, energy and
actions. Today we remember things we are grateful for and release things
that are holding us back from seeing that sweetness and beauty in our lives."
5.
(Creating the Cosmos, acknowledging
Well, Tree, Fire) "The waters support and
surround us. The land extends about us. The sky stretches out above
us. At the center burns a living flame.
And so we stand at the center of worlds in sacred space and time.
May our worship be true.
May our actions be just.
May our love be pure.
Let us pray with a good fire."
a.
Light the candle.
6.
(Opening the Gates) Hand
over the Tree, "We call to the Gatekeeper to guide and guard our
way. Bee, accept this offering and be welcome here!"
a.
Give Offerings of Water/Wine from the Horn into the Cup.
b. "Aid
us now in opening the gates!
Kindreds of Fire, Well, and Tree; Kindreds of Sky, Sea, and Land; We call to
you to aid us today. As we open the gates between our world and the
Other, let us connect the worlds.
Let the Well open as a Gate!
Let the Fire open as a Gate!
Let the Tree Open as a Gate!
Let the Gates be open!"
7.
(Invite the Three Kindreds)
"Now that the Gates have been opened, we invite now to our sacred
space, the Disir and Alfar, the Nature Spirits, and the Deities."
a.
"Disir and Alfar of Spirit and Blood, I invite
you to this sacred space. Ancestors Accept this offering!"
i.
Give Offerings of Water/Wine.
b. "Nature
Spirits. I invite you into this rite. Nature Spirits accept
this offering!"
i.
Give Offerings of herbs.
c.
"Deities, it goes without saying, you are welcome
to join us as well. Shining Ones accept our offering!"
i.
Give Offerings of olive oil.
d. "May
you all come with love, clarity, inspiration, and protection."
8.
(Participant Offerings)
"I've given my offerings. If any would like to come up and give
theirs, please do. You can give food from our feast, gifts from the
ground, I also have cornmeal available at the table. Drummer, if you
would, please."
9.
(Prayer of Sacrifice)
"Our offerings and prayers have been given. Hestia! We ask that
you hasten our words and thoughts with your sacred fire So that we may be
heard with speed and clarity!"
a.
Sprinkle oil on the ground.
10. (Calling
for the Omens/Blessings) "Now we ask for a message from
the Kindreds, to see what they have to say and receive their mighty wisdom.
Diviner, please ask for an omen from the Autumn Spirits, Fox, Wind, and
Tree!"
a.
Interpret it.
b. "Do
we accept this as our omen?"
11. (Hallowing
the Waters of Life) "We have made offerings to the Kindreds, and
so we shall ask for blessing in return. We ask the Kindreds for their
blessings in our lives!"
a.
Hold Alum and hand sickle. Name the blessings and
visualize them in the waters.
b. "Behold
the waters of life!"
c.
Pass out the water to attendees, for those who can't/don't
want to drink, off to sprinkle them with the waters.
d. "Drink
deep the blessings and wisdom of the Kindreds. May they aid us in
our work for healing and balance."
12. (The
Work) Read the book and crafts.
a.
Pass around the supplies.
b. "Before
we get started, first we will read the book that inspired this rite. I'd
like you to think about something in your life that is holding you back from
seeing the sweetness in your life. Back in August for Honeysweet, we
thought about our sweets–our joys, our gratitude, our goals–anything that might
help us through the barren and dark of winter..and life in general.
Today, we're going to think of something that may be stopping you from seeing
that sweetness, or achieving a goal or taking that step into potential.
Who will read The Fox and the Leaves?"
c.
After the book is done, ask people about their
thoughts. What was the message of the story? Is this something that
can help you with your work?
(don't read until people have a chance to listen) "Fletcher Fox's story
was about fighting against something big and scary that he doesn't quite
understand…and finally letting go of that control and seeing what
happens. It wasn't that easy for him to just 'let go' was it? To
release that need to control…to surrender to the unknown."
d. "You
each have a leaf and an acorn. The leaf is for letting go. The
acorn is potential. Sit your acorn off to the side for now. Focus
on your life right now. Think about something in your life that is big
and scary. Something that is weighing you down. What is holding you
back from achieving a realistic goal? Something that is actually
achievable in your life.
Once you have something, put the energy, symbolism, words, energies, or colors
into your leaf. It's okay to be vulnerable in this space, but I
understand if you want to walk away if you get emotional. We have tissues
here, too.
Have at it, Little Foxes. If you need help, don't be afraid to brainstorm
with others, perform divination if you've the tools, or I can draw a rune to
give you a little bit of insight."
e.
Once everyone is finished,
i. Have everyone take their leaves home and release them when they truly feel ready for the work ahead. Release them through burning, breaking, sawing, or burying; or maybe even washing away the marker from the wood with soap, alcohol, or another means.
f.
"I would like your acorn to stay blank for now. The
acorn represents potential after all. Who knows what the future holds for
you and yours?
As you go about this journey you can fill it out during or after you've seen
the results of letting go. Or if you need that visual aid, go
ahead. That will be in your hands, but before you do anything to your
acorns, I want you to release any expectations you have about your
journey. Release what you expect it to look like, how long it will take,
and what the end result will be. Letting go can be a difficult and scary
thing to do, it's a process that can take time, courage, self-discipline,
support, patience, and accountability. Sometimes you have to learn to not
grasp the thing you're trying to release–especially if it's a toxic comfort
zone! Things that may not be achieved within a ritual or a moon phase,
but weeks, months, and years even. This isn't a quick and easy process,
but it is possible with the right tools, commitment, and intention."
g. "Now
take your acorns, close your eyes, and hold them to your hearts. Breathe
as you feel comfortable doing. In and out. In and out. In and
out. Now a prayer by Molly Remer."
i.
A Blessing for Strength (pg176)
and Gifts (pg172)
"Draw it in
Draw it up
Draw it down
And know,
Without a doubt,
That you CAN DO IT.
You can walk this path
You can rise to this occasion.
You can respond with strength
To whatever is asked of you.
All of the surprises,
All the mysteries,
All the twists and turns
And unexpected places.
You carry the wisdom
Within you
To let it flow.
May you gift yourself
With a breath for allowing,
A gentle sweep for permission
Flowing over your hot and tender skin.
May you gift yourself
With a breath for letting go,
Watching your worries drift away into the soft exhale of the wind.
May you gift yourself
With a breath of courage,
Knowing that what your world needs
Your heart to be in it:
This fierce work
This fierce love
This whole life."
As it is willed and practiced, with courage, grace, forgiveness, and learning,
so shall it be.
Open your eyes.
h. Ask how
everyone is feeling. Give them a few minutes if they need it.
13. (Thanking
the Beings) "First, Ancestors, Nature Spirits, and Deities, we
thank you for attending this rite and bestowing your guidance, inspiration,
protection, and blessings."
14. (Closing
the Gates) "Gatekeeper! Guardian between our world and yours, we
thank you! Bee! Let the gates be closed!"
15. (Thank
the Earth Mother) "Earth Mother, we thank you for sustaining us, and
for allowing us to have this ritual here in this beautiful park."
16. Firewalker:
Hand them the lit candle. Have them blow it out and walk the
space counter clockwise, "Spirits and Hidden folk, we release this
sacred space back to you." Toss cornmeal offerings.
17. (Closing
the Rite) "This ritual is complete! Thank you all for
attending and participating. Yall can hang out, eat, and have divination
done if you'd like, or leave."
--------------------
Resources
- Ar nDraiocht Fein. Our Own Druidry. 2009.
- Heath, Cat. Elves, Witches & Gods:Spinning Old Heathen Magic in the Modern Day. 2021.
- Rawlinson, Julia. The Fox and the Falling Leaves (aka Fletcher and the Falling Leaves). 2006.
- Remer, Molly. Goddess Devotional: A Prayerbook Honoring the Sacred. 2019.
- Three Cranes Grove, ADF
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